Cognitive processes underlying non literal language understanding: how? When? and Where

非文字语言理解的认知过程：如何？

• 批准号: 327313-2006
• 负责人: ChampagneLavau, Maud
• 金额: $ 1.11万
• 依托单位: Université de Montréal
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Group
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2008-01-01 至 2009-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=397705
• 关键词: Cognitive; processes; underlying; non; literal

The general aim of this research program is to examine the cognitive processes and neural substrate underlying non literal language understanding in young adults and elderly adults.  Non literal (NL) language includes metaphor, indirect speech acts, sarcasm, irony and many other linguistic constructions that produce an apparent need for comprehenders to go beyond what is literally stated to apprehend the communicative intent of speakers, and, consequently the meaning of utterances. There are two central questions concerning how we comprehend NL language. The first one is: are the literal and the NL meanings of the utterance activated simultaneously or is one of them is achieved preferentially? The second question concerns the neural substrate involved in NL language processing: Is there a cerebral asymmetry in favour of a specificity of the right hemisphere (RH) in the processing of NL language? Given such asymmetry a third question follows: does age influence the neural networks sustaining NL language processing? No study has succeeded in teasing apart the different processes underlying NL language processing. Moreover, there is no study comparing irony and metaphor processing using imaging methods. Finally, there is no consensus concerning the neural substrate involved in NL language processing. Behavioural approach and Near infrared spectroscopy-Diffused optical imaging techniques (NIRS-DOT) will be used in this research program. Thus, NIRS-DOT allows subtle temporal discrimination between the time courses of either phenomena during comprehension, and provides sufficient spatial resolution to identify a possible role of the right hemisphere in NL language processing. Results of the present research program will contribute to a better understanding of the brain and cognitive mechanisms that allow high level language processing in young and elderly adults.

该研究项目的总体目标是检查年轻人和老年人非文字语言理解的认知过程和神经基础。非文字 (NL) 语言包括隐喻、间接言语行为、讽刺、讽刺和许多其他语言结构，理解者显然需要超越字面意思来理解说话者的交际意图，因此有两个关于我们如何理解自然语言的核心问题：第一个问题是。言语的字面意义和 NL 意义是同时激活的，还是优先实现其中之一？第二个问题涉及 NL 语言处理中涉及的神经基质：是否存在有利于右半球（RH）特异性的大脑不对称性？鉴于这种不对称性，第三个问题如下：年龄是否会影响维持 NL 语言处理的神经网络？此外，还没有研究成功地梳理出 NL 语言处理的不同过程。最后，关于 NL 语言处理中涉及的神经基质，本研究计划将使用近红外光谱-扩散光学成像技术（NIRS-DOT）。 NIRS-DOT 允许在理解过程中对任一现象的时间过程进行细微的时间区分，并提供足够的空间分辨率来识别右半球在 NL 语言处理中的可能作用，本研究计划的结果将有助于更好地理解。允许年轻人和老年人进行高级语言处理的大脑和认知机制。